Timely HVAC Tune-Up Tips to Save Money

As the weather gets warmer, air conditioning units are kicking into gear. Nationwide, homeowners spend $11 billion a year to power air conditioners. But running your air in the summer does not have to take a big bite out of your wallet. Annual maintenance on an HVAC unit will not only help improve comfort and indoor air quality, but it can also lower an air conditioner’s energy use by up to 15 percent.* There are a few easy steps that one can take this spring and summer to get a unit in tip-top shape:

Maintenance: Annual maintenance will keep a unit running smoothly and efficiently. By routinely checking and replacing air filters, one can improve a unit’s functionality and reduce energy use. Residents should consider hiring a professional to come, assess and service a unit in use, which will greatly reduce the need for future emergency maintenance calls. Making sure that the fan is clear of any leaves and debris and ensuring the drain channel remains clear are vital.

Insulate: By adding insulation in the attic, walls, and even crawl spaces, warm air can be prevented from leaking into the home. Cracks and openings around pipes and wires should be tightly sealed. By reducing the incursion of warm air and humidity, the work load of an air conditioning unit in cooling the living space and removing humidity from the home interior can be reduced.

Programmable Thermostat: Installing a programmable thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs up to 10 percent by automatically adjusting the interior temperature up and down based on occupancy times.* The programmed thermostat should operate based upon optimal temperature settings, cooling only when the home is occupied, thus, reducing unnecessary energy use and HVAC wear and tear.

*Figures provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information on home cooling, visit Energy.SC.gov.